Walsall Leather Museum

This museum occupies a restored Victorian factory building and displays an extensive collection of saddles, bridles, leather bags, and accessories from different periods. The building retains the layout of a 19th-century production facility, with workshop areas where traditional crafting continues to be demonstrated.

The museum opened in 1988 to document how the town grew from a market settlement into a major leather production center that employed thousands by 1900. This rapid industrial growth transformed Walsall and established its reputation as a leading British leather manufacturing hub.

Visitors watch craftspeople at work in the studios, demonstrating how saddles and leather goods are made by hand using methods that remain important to the town's identity. The demonstrations show skills that have been passed down through families and workshops for over a century.

Entry is free and the location is easy to reach in the town center. There are educational programs available for school groups, and visitors with research interests can access the museum's archives and reference collections.

Around 40 local manufacturers continue making leather goods in Walsall today, with several holding Royal Warrants for their saddle and bridle work. These active workshops demonstrate that the craft tradition remains a living part of the town's economy, not just a historical memory.

Location: Walsall

Inception: 1988

Address: Littleton Street West, Walsall, England WS2 8EW

Website: http://walsall.gov.uk/leathermuseum

GPS coordinates: 52.58860,-1.98330

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01